Protective shield or towel



June 1957 J. BRENNISH PROTECTIVE SHIELD OR TOWEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 18, 1954 R O T N E V m ATTORNEYS J. BRENNISH PROTECTIVE SHIELD 0R TOWEL June '11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18, 1954 (fOhfi Bren/25611,

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 4 United States Patent PROTECTIVE SHIELD OR TOWEL John Brennish, Philipsburg, Pa.

Application November 18, 1954, Serial No. 469,793

1 Claim. (Cl. 2-49) This invention relates to a protecting shield or towel designed primarily for use in the hair dressing art, the primary object of the invention being to provide a shield of this character which is constructed preferaby of woven fabric material, such as terry cloth, thereby providing a cloth shield which will have all the characteristics of a towel.

An important object of the invention is to provide a shield having a curved edge to fit around the neck of the wearer, there being provided lines of elastic stitching adjacent to such curved edge and so arranged that the elastic stitches draw the cloth material in which the stitches are formed, causing the stitched portion of the material to extend laterally forming a collar to closely fit the neck \of the wearer of the shield and prevent water or soap suds from passing between the shield and neck of the wearer.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combination of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a shield constructed in accordance with the invention as positioned over the shoulders of a person having a hair treatment. Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the shield or towel prior to positioning around the neck and shoulders of a person.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a modified form of shield.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the form of the shield or towel prior to positioning over the shoulders of a person, the ends of the shield in this form of the invention being held together by snap fasteners.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view illustrating a further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of the device.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shield or towel.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view through the shield or towel illustrating the collar formed by the elastic stitches.

Referring to the drawing in detail, as shown by Fig. l of the drawings, the shield comprises a length of terry cloth, indicated generally by the reference character 5, one of the longitudinal edges thereof being curved inwardly at 6 to fit around the neck of a person using the shield or towel.

Straps 7 are secured to the length of terry cloth at points adjacent to the ends of the inwardly curved end 6, as better shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Lines of rubber stitching indicated by the reference character 8, are so formed in the terry cloth at a point adjacent to the curved edge thereof, that the terry cloth is caused to draw providing an out-turned collar 9, the straps 7 being secured around the neck of the wearer, to hold the neck engaging portion of the shield or cape, into close engagement with the neck of the wearer.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings I have illustrated the shield as having straight side and end edges, there being provided lines of elastic stitches 1d disposed in parallel spaced relation with one edge of the body 11, the lines of stitches providing an extremely comfortable neck portion for contact with the neck of the wearer, the lines of stitches tending to draw the cloth material providing a yieldable neck engaging portion. The head and socket fasteners 12 and 13 are used in this form of the invention to secure the ends of the shield together when positioned around the neck of the user.

As shown by sheet 2 of the drawings, the shield which is indicated generally by the reference character 13, is substantially long and is provided with a circular cutout portion 14 providing a neck opening. The cloth material adjacent to the neck opening has lines of elastic stitches 15, which are under tension and cause that portion of the shield adjacent to the opening to curl laterally forming an outstanding collar 26. The body portion is formed with a slot 17 and extends inwardly into the neck opening so that the shield may be readily positioned over the neck of the person. in this form of the invention, ties 18 are provided for tying the shield to the neck of the user.

It might be further stated that the portion of the shield adjacent to the collar 16 is constructed to provide an exceptionally strong and rigid collar to grip the neck of the person using the shield.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a shield which is in the form of a towel with one of its edges curved to fit around the neck of a person wearing the shield, with means to secure the shield in position. It will further be seen that because of the lines of elastic stitches,'1 have provided a collar of a yieldable character which will closely fit the neck 'of the wearer in comfort.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

A shield of the class described, comprising a body constructed of a length of flexible protective material, said body having a circular cutout adjacent to one end thereof adapted to fit around the neck of the user, said body having a slot extending inwardly from the adjacent end thereof merging with said circular cutout, lines of yieldable stitching arranged under tension in the body, said stitches being arranged concentrically to and spaced from each other over a substantial portion of the area surrounding said circular cutout, and extending to the ends of said circular cutout, drawing a portion :of the material adjacent to said circular cutout laterally providing an upstanding yieldable collar and a pair of tapes secured to said body adjacent to the opposite sides of said slot and spaced from the collar forming portion for closing said slot and securing said collar about the neck of the wearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,444 Shea Mar. 25, 1924 2,123,436 Richmond July 12, 1938 2,431,052 La Gier Nov. 18, 1947 2,593,218 Swain Apr. 15, 1952 2,620,475 Legg et al. Dec. 9, 1952 2,654,092 Brennish Oct. 6, 1953 2,694,200 Pierce Nov. 16, 1954 

